Pentax K-7

“I found the Pentax K7 to be a competent camera… It just failed to light my fire.”

Luminous Landscape has just published their review of the Pentax K-7 DSLR [Specs], with 14.6MP resolution (on a 23.4 x 15.6 mm CMOS image sensor), Shake Reduction sensor-shift Image Stabilization, 3.0-in. LCD (920K dots), PASM, 30-1/8000 sec. plus Bulb, Dust Removal, Dynamic Range Optimizing (capturing 3 images and combining them in-camera), RAW, weather-proof stainless steel alloy body, optical viewfinder with 100% frame coverage, Live View with Face Detection AF (Contrast-Detect), Continuous Shooting 5.2fps, and HD Movie (1536 x 1024 @ 30fps).

[ Pentax K-7 Quick Price Check ]

Read the Pentax K-7 Review at: Luminous Landscape

Editor’s note: Since Luminous Landscape gives a rather lacklustre report of the Pentax K-7, we encourage you to get a second [more positive and balanced] opinion from the following expert review sites:

- Imaging Resource: “Overall, the Pentax K-7 is a very high-quality digital SLR camera, offering a lot for its relatively low price.”
- DCRP (dcresource): “The Pentax K-7 isn’t just an excellent midrange digital SLR — it’s also an incredible value.”
- PhotographyBLOG: “The Pentax K-7 is the best-ever Pentax DSLR camera and a real challenger to the relative giants of Canon and Nikon.”
- DPReview: “The Pentax K-7 manages to combine superb build quality, comprehensive customization options, excellent ergonomics and an extensive feature set…”

Pentax K-7

“For maximum image quality in low light situations your best bet is shooting RAW.”

DPReview has just published their review of the Pentax K-7 DSLR [Specs], with 14.6MP resolution (on a 23.4 x 15.6 mm CMOS image sensor), Shake Reduction sensor-shift Image Stabilization, 3.0-in. LCD (920K dots), PASM, 30-1/8000 sec. plus Bulb, Dust Removal, Dynamic Range Optimizing (capturing 3 images and combining them in-camera), RAW, weather-proof stainless steel alloy body, optical viewfinder with 100% frame coverage, Live View with Face Detection AF (Contrast-Detect), Continuous Shooting 5.2fps, and HD Movie (1536 x 1024 @ 30fps).

[ Pentax K-7 Quick Price Check ]

Pentax K-7

“Offers more features per dollar than anything else out there.”

DCRP (dcresource) has just published their review of the Pentax K-7 DSLR [Specs], “an excellent digital SLR” featuring 14.6MP resolution (on a 23.4 x 15.6 mm CMOS image sensor), Shake Reduction sensor-shift Image Stabilization, 3.0-in. LCD (920K dots), PASM, 30-1/8000 sec. plus Bulb, Dust Removal, Dynamic Range Optimizing (capturing 3 images and combining them in-camera), RAW, weather-proof stainless steel alloy body, optical viewfinder with 100% frame coverage, Live View with Face Detection AF (Contrast-Detect), Continuous Shooting 5.2fps, and HD Movie (1536 x 1024 @ 30fps).

[ Pentax K-7 Quick Price Check ]

Pentax K-7

“Simply incredible. I was able to take shake-free shots at shutter speeds as low as 1/8th of a second using the 18-55mm kit lens, vindicating Pentax’s four-stop claim.”

TrustedReviews has just published their review of the Pentax K-7 DSLR [Specs], “a superb camera” featuring 14.6MP resolution (on a 23.4 x 15.6 mm CMOS image sensor), Shake Reduction sensor-shift Image Stabilization, 3.0-in. LCD (920K dots), PASM, 30-1/8000 sec. plus Bulb, Dust Removal, Dynamic Range Optimizing (capturing 3 images and combining them in-camera), RAW, weather-proof stainless steel alloy body, optical viewfinder with 100% frame coverage, Live View with Face Detection AF (Contrast-Detect), Continuous Shooting 5.2fps, and HD Movie (1536 x 1024 @ 30fps).

[ Pentax K-7 Quick Price Check ]

Pentax K-7

Imaging Resource has just published their review of the Pentax K-7 DSLR [Specs], “a camera you can learn and love” with its 14.6MP resolution (on a 23.4 x 15.6 mm CMOS image sensor), Shake Reduction sensor-shift Image Stabilization, 3.0-in. LCD (920K dots), PASM, 30-1/8000 sec. plus Bulb, Dust Removal, Dynamic Range Optimizing (capturing 3 images and combining them in-camera), RAW, weather-proof stainless steel alloy body, optical viewfinder with 100% frame coverage, Live View with Face Detection AF (Contrast-Detect), Continuous Shooting 5.2fps, and HD Movie (1536 x 1024 @ 30fps).

[ Pentax K-7 Quick Price Check ]

All new DSLRs now feature Live View and HD Movie capability. Here are the eight DSLRs that so far have these two features:

• Canon 5D Mark II
• Canon T1i / 500D
• Nikon D300s
• Nikon D90
• Nikon D5000
• Olympus E-P1
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
• Pentax K-7

Pentax K-7

ePHOTOzine has just published their review of the Pentax K-7 DSLR [Specs], “one of the most exciting cameras released this year” with its 14.6MP resolution (on a 23.4 x 15.6 mm CMOS image sensor), Shake Reduction sensor-shift Image Stabilization, 3.0-in. LCD (920K dots), PASM, 30-1/8000 sec. plus Bulb, Dust Removal, Dynamic Range Optimizing (capturing 3 images and combining them in-camera), RAW, weather-proof stainless steel alloy body, optical viewfinder with 100% frame coverage, Live View with Face Detection AF (Contrast-Detect), Continuous Shooting 5.2fps, and HD Movie (1536 x 1024 @ 30fps).

[ Pentax K-7 Quick Price Check ]

Pentax K-7

PhotographyBLOG has just published their review of the Pentax K-7 DSLR [Specs], “the best-ever Pentax DSLR camera.” The K-7 features 14.6MP resolution (on a 23.4 x 15.6 mm CMOS image sensor), Shake Reduction sensor-shift Image Stabilization, 3.0-in. LCD (920K dots), PASM, 30-1/8000 sec. plus Bulb, Dust Removal, Dynamic Range Optimizing (capturing 3 images and combining them in-camera), RAW, weather-proof stainless steel alloy body, optical viewfinder with 100% frame coverage, Live View with Face Detection AF (Contrast-Detect), Continuous Shooting 5.2fps, and HD Movie (1536 x 1024 @ 30fps).

[ Pentax K-7 Quick Price Check ]

Pentax K-7

WhatDigitalCamera has just published their review of the Pentax K-7 DSLR [Specs], “the best DSLR that Pentax has ever produced” with its 14.6MP resolution (on a 23.4 x 15.6 mm CMOS image sensor), Shake Reduction sensor-shift Image Stabilization, 3.0-in. LCD (920K dots), PASM, 30-1/8000 sec. plus Bulb, Dust Removal, Dynamic Range Optimizing (capturing 3 images and combining them in-camera), RAW, weather-proof stainless steel alloy body, optical viewfinder with 100% frame coverage, Live View with Face Detection AF (Contrast-Detect), Continuous Shooting 5.2fps, and HD Movie (1536 x 1024 @ 30fps).

[ Pentax K-7 Quick Price Check ]

Thankfully, my title above is wrong and the new DSLR from HOYA CORPORATION PENTAX Imaging Systems Division still bears the Pentax badge!

You can however see the HOYA culture encroaching: the camera is called a “lens-interchangeable” DSLR. The English in the press release is pretty good, but it’s obviously a translation and it just reads a bit funny.

The new Pentax K-7 catches up with the semi-pro offerings from Nikon and Canon, but is it too little, too late? The body design is a bit more sophisticated, more professionally elegant and staying with the “K” series is a good marketing move. Thankfully gone for good is the unpronounceable “ist” era!

Here are the basics:

• 14.6MP resolution on a 23 x 15.6mm CMOS image sensor
• Continuous Shooting at 5.2fps (max. 40 JPEG images)
• Dustproof, weather- and cold-resistant body
• Dust Reduction System
• Live View with Contrast AF mode
• HD Movie 1280 x 720 pixels 16:9 @ 30fps
• 3.0-in. (920K dots) LCD
• HDR (High Dynamic Range) function creates one composite image from 3 images shot at different exposure settings
• Digital Level function
• Attachment of copyright credits on recorded images
• RAW file format at the press of a button
• 16 Digital Filters (such as: Toy Camera, Slim, Watercolor,…)
• External microphone socket
• SD/SDHC memory card
• Optional Battery Grip D-BG4

The Pentax K-7 is compact, much smaller than its Canon and Nikon competitors. Live View, according to reports from early reviews, is still painfully slow as on most other DSLRs.

Related Articles:

- DPReview Hands-on Preview